Mars Inc Will Stop Shipping Products Over 250 Calories Per Portion

The company that produces M&Ms, 3 Musketeers, Snickers and Twix bars has vowed to stop shipping any Mars chocolate products that exceed 250 calories per portion by the end of 2013.

This move is part of an agreement Mars signed with Michelle Obama’s Partnership for a Healthier America. Mars is part of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation, a group of 16 manufacturers who have pledged to reduce 1.5 trillion calories by the end of 2015 through lower-calorie options and reducing portion sizes.

“America’s food and beverage companies have a strong track record of innovation and providing consumers with healthier products,” said Lisa Gable, executive director of the Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation in a press release. “The Foundation’s member companies are giving Americans tools to reduce calorie consumption.”

Why is Michele Obama making agreements with industry?

We all agree that over consumption of sugar is bad for you. We all agree there is no need to consume more than 250 calories worth of candy in a day. But we do believe that the company and consumer should have the freedom to sell and eat this stuff, respectively.